Embroidery Digitizing

An important part of custom embroidery is digitizing.  Digitizing is the process of converting artwork into a stitch file that can be read by an embroidery machine and interpreted as different stitch types. So what are the steps that lead to a perfectly digitized design?

Preparing Artwork for Embroidery Digitizing

The digitizer has to analyze the design to find out if it needs to be edited for embroidery. Artwork designed for print media can not always be embroidered properly; they have to be simplified first. Other changes that may need to done are resizing the image, eliminating outlines and enlarging small text.

Pathing

Once a design has been modified using a graphics software, the file is used as a template for an embroidery program to create a stitch file. The digitizer will then have to decide how the pathing in the logo will run. The sequence of stitches in a design is known as pathing. The execution of the design is greatly determined by the pathing. If the sequence in the embroidery isn’t correct, the design might have gaps and turn out to be uneven. The pathing also effects the length of running time of a design on the machine. Though this might not seem important, a design with a shorter run time will be less costly.

Assigning Embroidery Stitch Types

Next, each section of the design is assigned stitch types based on what stitches will best represent the artwork.  First, the digitizer adds the underlay stitches.  Although underlay stitches are not visible in a finished logo, having the correct underlay stitches is necessary for creating a great looking logo.  Underlay helps stabilize the fabric to the backing, lay down the nap of the fabric so that the remaining stitches have a smooth surface to embroider on and also add density to the design.  Stitches tend to sink into the fabric or the fabric shows through the design if the underlay isn’t proper.Although there are only three basic stitch types: run, satin and fill stitches, there are variations of these stitch types.  For example, fill stitches are used to cover large areas; but, the digitizer must decide what type of fill stitch to use, the direction of the fill and where the fill should start and stop in the design. The type of fabric the logo will be embroidered on must be considered when the stitches are being decided and appropriate adjustments should be made.  Stitches will sink into fabrics such as polar fleece and lay on the surface of denser fabrics such as nylon.  A logo that was originally digitized for denim won’t look as good when embroidered on a pique knit where the stitches sink into the fabric.

The Push and Pull Factor

“Push and Pull” is another important aspect of embroidery. While being embroidered, it is possible that a design may move. This will cause shifting in some stitches. There is higher chance of shifting when using long stitches, heavy fabric, tightly wound bobbin thread and large areas of thread. The digitizer should rectify the effects of “push and pull” and make adjustments.

The Embroidery

Even though it might seem that left chest business logos are easy to digitize, designs that have detail, small text and color changes take more time to set-up. It takes a lot of time and experience to correctly digitize designs as it is a very exacting process. The digitizer must be aware of how different stitches will appear on fabric as compared to when he sees them on the software. A well digitized design will make your logo look better so it is important to hire someone who does quality digitizing.

what is a Merrowed border?

 

Merrowing, sometimes known as overlock sewing or overlocking is the process of wrapping thread around fabric, yielding an efficient and uniform stitch.

Today I was emailed an example from an emblem site that is looking at the difference between a wax finished border and a merrowed border.

Vanda Stitch Services 

Embroidery

Description

Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins.
A characteristic of embroidery is that the basic techniques or stitches of the earliest work—chain stitch, buttonhole or blanket stitch, running stitch, satin stitch, cross stitch—remain the fundamental techniques of hand embroidery today.
Machine embroidery, arising in the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, mimics hand embroidery, especially in the use of chain stitches, but the "satin stitch" and hemming stitches of machine work rely on the use of multiple threads and resemble hand work in their appearance, not their construction.


Origins

The origins of embroidery are unknown, but early examples survive from ancient Egypt, Iron Age Northern Europe and Zhou Dynasty China. Examples of surviving Chinese chain stitch embroidery worked in silk thread have been dated to the Warring States period (5th-3rd century BC).

Thread Breakages

Thread Breakages

• Thread breakages not only affect the quality of embroidery but also cost extra working time, i.e. low productivity. These mostly happened due to punching skill, thread quality and machines.

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Color Changes

A good digitizing should be with fewer stitches, less breakages, less color changes, softening embroidery works and vivid effects. To improve embroidery productivity, an experienced  digitizer should pay more attention at below points.

Color Changes 

• Flat head machines need much more time to change needles than round one. The color changes should be less as possible as you can.
• For flat head machines,  avoid change from most left needles to most right needles to reduce color changing time. Optimizing needle change time will improve production efficiency.

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Hungry Fish - How to control embroidery machine trimmings?

Trimmings

• Fewer trimmings not only shorten working time but also reduce the risk of thread breakages.
• Some machines now can eliminate very short stitches and lock well automatically. For others, “Tie In” and “Tie Off” are required seriously.
• In some cases, a trimming point can be covered skillfully with next color stitches instead of “Tie off”. Try to reduce tie stitches as possible as it can be.

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Appliqué Embroidery

When you download an appliqué design, you'll find two files: a die line (which begins with the letters DL) and the full embroidery file (which begins with the numbers 25). You'll use the die line file to cut the appliqué fabric to the exact shape for the embroidery. You won't sew the DL file on a garment - you'll just use it to cut the fabric. Begin by opening the die line file in your embroidery software, and printing it. If you don't have embroidery software, or cannot print from it, then you can sew the die line file to make a template. To do this, hoop a piece of paper. Load the die line file into the embroidery machine and embroider that file. You can use an unthreaded needle, and the needle will perforate the paper. For the example to the left, there is thread in the needle. A die line is a simple running stitch outline, so it only takes a moment or two to sew. Once the die line file has finished sewing, set the paper aside and prepare your appliqué fabric. You can use almost any fabric for appliqué. We're using lightweight cotton, so we are backing the fabric with one piece of cutaway stabilizer. Spray the stabilizer lightly with adhesive. Smooth the appliqué fabric on top. Spray a bit of adhesive on the backside of the paper template, and smooth that on top of the appliqué fabric and stabilizer. Then, cut the shape from the fabric and stabilizer “sandwich”. Remove the paper template from the fabric and stabilizer (sandwich). If you are planning on using the appliqué design again, you can store that paper template with the color change sheet for a future use. Next, back the garment with stabilizer. Hoop both fabric and stabilizer firmly. Begin embroidering the design - the full embroidery file, the one that begins with the numbers "25." This file consists of three main parts. The first part is the die line. This running stitch outline traces the shape of the appliqué fabric. Once the die line has finished sewing, spray the backside of the fabric and stabilizer "sandwich" with adhesive, Place the appliqué piece in the sewn die line. Continue embroidering the design. The next thing to sew is the tack down stitch. This is a zigzag stitch which binds the appliqué fabric to the garment. You’ll also see a satin stitch border sew. This gives the appliqué fabric a nice, smooth seal. The appliqué design might have other elements that embroider, too. This bunny has ears, eyes, nose, and a tail. You'll find the color change sheet is helpful when embroidering, as the fields are labeled with convenient descriptions. Appliqué embroidery is a wonderful way to add your favorite fabrics and patterns to your embroidery. Let your imagination run wild!


(Note: you can choose almost any fabric for appliqué embroidery. If you're working with a high-pile fleece or fur, it may be necessary to trim the nap at an angle (angling inward) after the shape has been cut to avoid fuzz peeking through the satin stitch border).

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How to Choose an Embroidery Digitizer?

Embroidery Digitizing is the art of transferring an image or picture into a digitized format that a computerized sewing machine can understand. Once the design is sent to the sewing machine, the sewing machine takes care of all of its creation needs. Not only does the sewing machine save you hours and hours of time and energy, it also makes a perfect piece. The sewing machine will do exactly what the pattern tells it to do-it's not going to miscount or forget to put in certain stitches. With the embroidery digitizing machines, perfection is easy to achieve.

Now, some of your results will be links to companies that sell embroidery digitizing software. If you have no interest in trying to digitize your own embroidery patterns, then you have no need for the links to the software companies. Ignoring those will bring down the number of companies that you can consider when you choose an embroidery digitizing company.

Where you will want to start with your comparison of the embroidery digitizing companies is with the prices and the turnaround. Some companies will offer a fast turnaround (starting at 24 hours). Some will not advertise a turnaround at all for their embroidery digitizing services. You may need to email the company to find out what their turnaround rate is.

The next place you will want to look is at how much the company is charging for their embroidery digitizing service. Prices can vary greatly, and you need to decide on what you feel is a fair price for you to pay. You will probably want to comparison shop to come up with the price you are willing to pay. In some cases, you may get a bulk discount.

The final thing you will want to look at when choosing an embroidery digitizing company is at the quality of their work. Most companies have examples of the items they have digitized on their website. If their examples aren't up to the standards you want for your digitized embroidery pattern, then you should probably look at a different embroidery digitizing company to digitize your embroidery pattern.

Keep in mind, once you decide on the company that you are going to use for your current project, you may still want to comparison shop each time that you have another embroidery pattern digitized.

All in all, choosing an embroidery digitized pattern can be a fun, satisfying experience. It is a great way to encourage individuality and leadership. Who knew that there could be so many benefits from a simple work of art? The effect of embroidered art, however, is far from simple. The effect is has can inspire emotions from all over the spectrum.

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Embroidery Digitizing Service

Coruby Digitizing is a Singapore company with 20 years experience in the embroidery industry. Our company provides you with quality punching or digitizing. We offer quick, efficient services with reasonably prices.

Our qualified punching designers are experts in using the latest punching softwares such as Wilcom, Tajima DG/ML by Pulse, Wings, Barudan TES and etc. With accurate controlling of stitches and best working sequences in design punching, our designs are running smoothly with minimum stitches, minimum thread trims and minimum color changes. Your machines will get maximum productivity with our skills and techniques. We are excellent and expertise at digitizing the smallest letterings and all branded logos. 

Try our service now! we guarantee that you will be satisfied with our professional digitizing services.  


http://www.singaporedigitizing.com/